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LETTER TO SR. MARY TREA - 1965 by H. Howell

Letter to Sr. Mary Trea
My aunt, Helen's daughter was a Sinsinawan Dominican teaching nun. 
PHOTO - Jack Howell, Sr. Mary Trea, Helen Howell 

8-15-1965

My Dear Daughter, 

...I have been thinking how very wonderfully I have been blessed in comparison to what other mothers who do have with problems in the family - either members outside of the Faith, or, particularly today, many separated by Liberalism which divides and splits. This was particularly noticed at the (Wanderer) Forum with the different ones I met - all conservatives, but many members of their families were not; even husbands and wives at opposite poles. Have decided this is too rare a blessing to go unheeded. It constitutes my complete moral foundation. It deserves my undivided attention and in the future it will be my main objective - as many prayers and good works as I can give for the good of all, with a closer union in contacts and whatever else I can do to help, particularly since you younger ones have all the energy to accomplish "great things for God". 

Have spoken out with all the information necessary for others. The Liberals can take care of themselves from here on out, they've received far more consideration that they ever give anyway. The moral foundation which is already established within our family unit IS the motivating force which will carry all of us successfully through these times, and that is where all my energy will be focused in the future. Hear! hear! and you've got it in writing!

Have been disturbed at times in giving you the truth concerning the Church and our country lest it interfere with your vocation, but am no longer concerned in that respect. Who knows from day to day what the will of God is for each and every one of us? How much I believed nothing would ever cease my activities as a Legionary (of Mary) , outside of physical inability, and yet the road since has been the most unexpected, heartrending, and fantastic of anything that I would ever have imagined. No, I can certainly leave that matter entirely in the good Lord's hands. I am accountable for truth only. The results may mean added hardships for you, but truth has always been in the minority, it is never the popular road, and I can only hope by my prayers, correspondence, contacts whenever possible to help in whatever way morally is necessary to continue on your path to holiness, which is the only goal for any of us. 

I like to talk big, and me thinks I have fooled myself when I say I am entirely detached because I find I am NOT AT ALL in regard to my family. This is my whole moral footing to see all of you doing so much for the honor and glory of God. This is the greatest. It is the real strength of unity so necessary to continue in the great challenge of this present day living. Perhaps I have never quite realized all the blessings that have been mine; have always been too careless about charity beginning at home. That was too true as a Legionary, I know, and now I am brought up short again. Well, never too late to do something about it, I hope; maybe the Blessed Mother did want those few seeds I have planted in the past to get out before she gave me this insight now, but then I never can differentiate too well between what is inspired and what is self-assertion, but am most suspicious of the latter. Anyway, it was grand having you home, and hope, before school starts, you will benefit much in getting set for the year ahead of you.   

Love and prayers always, 
Mother

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